Program Director

Avance Consulting; Frankfurt; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consulting firm in Germany seeks a Program Director to lead core banking transformation projects. This role requires a minimum of 15 years of experience in program management, particularly in core banking and product integration. The ideal candidate will manage cross-functional teams, ensure compliance with industry standards, and deliver innovative banking solutions. This is a full-time position, suitable for those passionate about driving digital transformation within the financial services sector.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years’ experience in complex program management, with at least 8 years in core banking.
• Proven track record in managing large-scale banking transformation projects.
• Strong understanding of integration frameworks like microservices.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end program management for core banking transformation.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define project objectives.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations.

Skills

Core banking systems expertise

Project management

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, IT or Business Management

Tools

Thought Machine

API

Middleware

Job description

Team Lead | Expert in Technical Recruitment for US, UK & EU Markets | Driving Talent Acquisition at Avance Consulting

Program Director (Core Banking Systems and Product Integration) - UHD1301

Position Overview

We are seeking a dynamic, results-oriented Program Director with proven expertise in core banking systems and product integration. The ideal candidate will play a pivotal role in leading and delivering complex projects that drive digital transformation, operational efficiency, and innovative banking solutions. The role requires strong leadership, core banking product experience, deep domain knowledge, and hands-on experience managing cross-functional teams in a fast-paced financial services environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end program management for core banking transformation and product integration initiatives, ensuring timely delivery within scope and budget.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders, IT teams, vendors, and regulatory bodies to define project objectives, requirements, and deliverables.
• Develop detailed project plans, schedules, and resource allocations; track progress and manage risks proactively.
• Coordinate integration of third-party products, fintech solutions, and legacy systems with core banking platforms.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards, data privacy regulations, and security protocols throughout project lifecycle.
• Facilitate workshops, requirement gathering sessions, and user acceptance testing (UAT) with key stakeholders.
• Monitor and report on project status, milestones, and KPIs to senior management and steering committees.
• Identify process improvement opportunities and drive continuous enhancement in project delivery practices.
• Apply proven methodologies and best practices for the end-to-end implementation of Thought Machine (Vault Core) platforms.
• Design sequencing of product migrations, considering inter-product dependencies, regulatory requirements, and business impact.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Information Technology, Business Management, or related field.
• Minimum 15 years’ experience in complex program management, with at least 8 years focused on core banking and product integration projects.
• Strong understanding of core banking systems (Thought Machine, Temenos, Finacle, etc.) and integration frameworks (API, middleware, microservices).
• Proven track record in managing large-scale banking transformation projects and integrating digital products (account deposit, mortgages, lending, etc.).
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Certification in Project Management (PMP, PRINCE2, Agile, etc.) preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and work effectively in multicultural, distributed teams.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making abilities.
• Flexibility to work across time zones and willingness to travel as required by project demands.

Preferred Attributes

• Experience working with Indian and international banks or financial institutions.
• Knowledge of regulatory guidelines (BaFin, German Banking Act (KWG), MiFID, etc.) impacting banking technology projects.
• Familiarity with agile and hybrid project delivery methodologies.
• Strong commitment to quality, innovation, and customer‑centricity.

Seniority Level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment Type

Full-time

Job Function

Information Technology